So I purchased a G40 10mm while I was out of town from a gun store. Paid for it and a few other things and my paperwork got delayed. No big deal but I live 2 hours away. Once I get approved can they ship that to my local FFL? I'd rather spend $10 shipping + $10 transfer than a full tank of diesel and half a day of my time. The store I bought it from couldn't give me a straight answer, think I was talking to a new guy.

Technically, they can "transfer" the pistol to you after the mandatory 3 day waiting period if they do not hear back from the NICS center, starting on the day after they called it in. You can pick it up, or they can ship it to a local FFL near you, and complete the transfer there. But another form 4473 will need to be completed at your local FFL, and possibly another delayed will occur. I'd go pick it up.

Also, some companies will not transfer the firearm to you if you get delayed. Academy has this policy if you are delayed. I know several friends who have bought a firearm there and were delayed, to never get the firearm and got their money back.

When the paperwork was delayed by NICS at a distant gunshop, after the delay time ran out I had to drive the 125 miles again to pick up the Glock. To save gas, I took the Harley instead of the van on the second trip.

bummer, id still go get it though, I hate waiting for new guns.

For the last several weeks, for the FBI NICS to be "more efficient", if your background check gets sent from the Call Center to the FBI "for further review", You get a recording with an "automatic" delay!! Might be more efficient for the FBI, but it plays heck with the FFL's and the buyers in cases like this.

I did one the other day that went for further review, and I spoke to a lady and got a proceed.

something wrong here, the gun counter people do not take the gun to the checkout until they get the okay, NEVER have I paid for a gun till the paper work cleared.

being a gunsmith wouldn't you have an ffl????????

They may not have paid then, but they never got the firearm is my point.

What happened if they did the paperwork and then your payment failed? How do you buy a gun and have it shipped if you don't pay first?

paper work has to clear before paying, cabelas, academy ect. payment failed?, if payment failed end of story.

I agree but I personally know of a gun shop that requires payment up front and if you don't pass background he charges a 25% restocking fee. ATF says it's not good practice but it's not illegal. The only part of the equation they're interested in is the transfer and the gun is never transferred in these scenarios.
I would personally never pay for a gun until I knew the transfer was approved, but many people do.